Developmental Domains
The developmental domain in which I have the strongest foundation is the cognitive domain. The affective domain follows closely as it will relate to future work in the area of prevention/intervention. The cognitive domain can be described as the area of development that involves intelligence, thinking, language, and learning. “The psychological development of the mind is part of the cognitive domain” (Estes & Krogh, 2012). The cognitive domain would be supported through hands-on-activities. It is important to keep in mind that when children form questions and find solutions cognitive skills are being improved. The affective domain, on the other hand, can be described as the area of development that consists of emotional, social, and moral growth. This domain includes factors such as “student motivation, attitudes, perceptions, and values” (On the Cutting Edge, n.d.). Therefore, one must keep in mind the affective domain when planning activities and designing a curriculum.
This internship will give me “real-life” experience. It will give me an opportunity to apply what I have learned at Ashford University as well as gain new knowledge that I did not study in school. It will allow me to work and learn from experienced educators. Most, importantly, I will be able to see how educators incorporate the domains into their lesson plans and classroom environment. I will see the implementation of classroom curriculums containing the physical domain (physical growth and development), cognitive domain (thinking), and affective domain (emotional development). In addition, I will be able to see how children participate and function with such lesson plans. This experience will help build my strengths and improve my weakness.
This internship will give me “real-life” experience. It will give me an opportunity to apply what I have learned at Ashford University as well as gain new knowledge that I did not study in school. It will allow me to work and learn from experienced educators. Most, importantly, I will be able to see how educators incorporate the domains into their lesson plans and classroom environment. I will see the implementation of classroom curriculums containing the physical domain (physical growth and development), cognitive domain (thinking), and affective domain (emotional development). In addition, I will be able to see how children participate and function with such lesson plans. This experience will help build my strengths and improve my weakness.
Home-School Partnerships
One of the most important things a parent can do is support their child’s education. “The term ‘parent involvement’ is used to describe participation by a child’s primary caretaker(s) - whether that is a single [parent], two parents, grandparents, foster parents, or an older sibling” (Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports, 2014). It means playing an integral role in a child’s education. Some common parent involvement activities include volunteering in the classroom, assisting in fundraisers, and accompanying the class on field trips. Many parents may find that their time is limited; however, busy parents can work on small-scale ideas which often have the biggest impact. For example, parents may include children in everyday activities like preparing a meal, household chores, and even grocery shopping. The simple act of talking to a child about their “school day” lets them know how important education truly is. Parents can support literacy by reading to their children or having their children read to them. I would create a warm and inviting classroom atmosphere in which parents felt comfortable. I would than reach out to parents in the form of face-to-face conversations, letters, and emails. My goal would be to invite parents to be part of their child’s education.
One benefit of the home-school partnership is the unique insight and different perspectives shared by a teacher and parent on the same child. A teacher is able to provide a child’s academic abilities, strengths, and challenges. As for a parent, they are more aware of a child’s personality, temperament, and family life. When parents and teachers form a “partnership” and exchange information it shows a child that an entire team is there to support their academic efforts. This internship experience would allow me to work with already “formed” partnerships. I can observe the interaction between the child, teacher, and parent. This valuable information can serve as a guide when I must form the same partnerships with my student’s parents. Furthermore, I would be able to gain valuable knowledge from the parents themselves. I would find answers to the following questions.
· Why do they participate in their child’s education?
· How do they support their child’s education at home?
· What motivated them to form a partnership with the classroom teacher?
By understanding the answers to these questions, I will better serve my students and their families.
One benefit of the home-school partnership is the unique insight and different perspectives shared by a teacher and parent on the same child. A teacher is able to provide a child’s academic abilities, strengths, and challenges. As for a parent, they are more aware of a child’s personality, temperament, and family life. When parents and teachers form a “partnership” and exchange information it shows a child that an entire team is there to support their academic efforts. This internship experience would allow me to work with already “formed” partnerships. I can observe the interaction between the child, teacher, and parent. This valuable information can serve as a guide when I must form the same partnerships with my student’s parents. Furthermore, I would be able to gain valuable knowledge from the parents themselves. I would find answers to the following questions.
· Why do they participate in their child’s education?
· How do they support their child’s education at home?
· What motivated them to form a partnership with the classroom teacher?
By understanding the answers to these questions, I will better serve my students and their families.
Trends/Issues- Cultural Diversity
“The United States has long been a nation of immigrants, each generation learning how to incorporate the next wave of newcomers. Adaptation and acceptance on all sides is rarely smooth. However, in recent decades increased numbers of publications, videos, curricula, and conferences, as well as a general awareness within the early childhood field have made the job of professionals and the lives of children easier” (Estes & Krogh, 2012). An important thing to remember about working with children of all backgrounds, cultures, and countries is that our way is not the only way. We must be respectful of different cultures, learn more about them, and strive to achieve “cultural competence.” The term cultural competence describes “what happens when special knowledge about individuals and groups of people is incorporated into standards, policies, and practices. This leads not only to an appreciation of families and their unique backgrounds, but also to an increase in the quality and effectiveness of services, producing better outcomes” (RTI Action Network, n.d.).
This internship experience would allow me to work with culturally diverse children and their families. It would give me the opportunity to achieve cultural competence. By learning about various cultures, I would be able to take that information and apply it to lesson plans. We would learn about foods and cultural practices then find similarities and differences within our own culture. One should look at cultural diversity as an opportunity for personal growth and a better understanding of the world we live in.
This internship experience would allow me to work with culturally diverse children and their families. It would give me the opportunity to achieve cultural competence. By learning about various cultures, I would be able to take that information and apply it to lesson plans. We would learn about foods and cultural practices then find similarities and differences within our own culture. One should look at cultural diversity as an opportunity for personal growth and a better understanding of the world we live in.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
“NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs represents a sustained vision for the early childhood field and more specifically for the programs that prepare the professionals working in the field. It is designed to support specific and critical policy structures, early childhood teacher education programs, and agreements between various levels of professional development programs” (National Association for the Education of Young Children, n.d.).
To ensure that I uphold NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards throughout my internship, I would become familiar with the standards and also seek advice from educators and administration. In order to better understand the standards, I would record the key elements and look to see how they are applied to the classroom environment. The National Association for the Education of Young Children broke down each standard and provided a “supporting explanation” on how to successfully apply each standard. This information would help me develop “curriculum to include both planned and spontaneous experiences that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful, and challenging for all young children” (National Association for the Education of Young Children, n.d.). This internship would help me promote child development and learning (Standard 1), use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum (Standard 5), and become a professional (Standard 6).
To ensure that I uphold NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards throughout my internship, I would become familiar with the standards and also seek advice from educators and administration. In order to better understand the standards, I would record the key elements and look to see how they are applied to the classroom environment. The National Association for the Education of Young Children broke down each standard and provided a “supporting explanation” on how to successfully apply each standard. This information would help me develop “curriculum to include both planned and spontaneous experiences that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful, and challenging for all young children” (National Association for the Education of Young Children, n.d.). This internship would help me promote child development and learning (Standard 1), use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum (Standard 5), and become a professional (Standard 6).